J.C. Ayer published Ayer's American Almanac, which was distributed in many languages. Below, thanks to Google Books, is Ayer's account of a bit of the publication's history.

Title

Ayer's American Almanac: For the Use of Farmers, Planters, Mechanics, and All Families

Contributor

Dr. J.C. Ayer & Co

Publisher

Dr. J.C. Ayer and Company, 1857

Original from

Princeton University

Digitized

Feb 19, 2008

"Used in many schools as a text book" might be reason for sending students somewhere else to learn. Ayer's Almanac [click this link for 1884 Ayer's Almanac complete except for last page] was full of useful, but not necessarily accurate, information. I wonder how many believed that an ad for Ayer's Sarsaparilla was the first thing ever printed on a printing press!

From Google Books once more, here are some sample pages of Ayer's 1897 Almanac. The consequences of using this as a "textbook" would be profoundly disturbing as pages of advertising outnumber those presenting factual information.

Plainville, CT is sandwiched between Bristol and New Britain. Information on James Prior's establishment has yet to surface, but with your help (please comment or email me), I'm sure we'll find something eventually! The University of Connecticut's Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and its Links to Business History Resources in the United States might help us uncover some information. Meanwhile, Google Maps makes Plainville's status as filling in a metropolitan sandwich very clear:

The author of this blog has attempted to correctly apply terms and conditions to Content. These pages and associated images are being made available exclusively for use in non-commercial and non-profit study, scholarship, research, or teaching. Researchers are responsible for using these materials in accordance with Title 17 of the United States Code and any other applicable statutes. All trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, product names and logos appearing on this blog are the property of their respective owners.. In the event that any Content infringes your rights or Content is not properly identified or acknowledged please email me. Thanks!

This site includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the historical record, and do not represent or in any way reflect the personal views of the author of this blog, his ancestors, or his family.